Edmonton Oilers News and Rumours: Skinner-Jarry Trade & Coffey
Oilers fans know that goaltending drama never ends, and the hockey world was caught off guard when Edmonton swapped Stuart Skinner for Tristan Jarry in a rare mid-offseason goalie trade. This briefing cuts through the noise to give you the verified facts on that swap, the coaching changes, and the lingering questions about the team’s future.
2023-24 season record: 49-27-6 (104 points) · Stanley Cup Finals appearance: 2024 (lost to Florida Panthers) · Connor McDavid points (2023-24): 132 (1st in NHL) · Paul Coffey coaching role: Assistant coach (returned 2024)
Quick snapshot
- Oilers traded Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin, and also acquired defenseman Spencer Stastney from Nashville for a 2027 third-round pick (NHL.com).
- Paul Coffey returned to the Oilers coaching staff prior to the 2024-25 season, per a report from CBC News.
- Connor McDavid won the Hart Trophy for the 2023-24 season (NHL.com).
- Whether Wayne Gretzky voluntarily left Edmonton or was effectively forced out by the trade in 1988.
- If the Oilers will make additional goaltending moves (e.g., pursue Connor Ingram) after the Skinner-Jarry swap.
- Whether Kris Knoblauch’s firing was solely due to the Anaheim loss or broader issues.
- Details about Wayne Gretzky’s medical conditions and personal habits remain unconfirmed.
- August 9, 1988 – Gretzky traded to L.A. Kings (Wikipedia).
- 2023-24 – Oilers reach Stanley Cup Final (NHL.com).
- Summer 2024 – Paul Coffey joins coaching staff (CBC News).
- October 2024 – Kris Knoblauch fired after loss to Anaheim (Yardbarker).
- Late 2024 – Skinner-Jarry trade completed (ESPN).
- Jarry will likely open the 2025 season as Edmonton’s starter; the Oilers have cap space flexibility with no salary retained in the trade (YouTube trade reaction).
- Matt Savoie’s extension talks are reportedly ongoing (YouTube rumor roundup).
By swapping Skinner for Jarry, Edmonton didn’t just change goalies — they traded a younger, cheaper netminder for an older one with a question-mark contract. The gamble: Jarry’s ceiling is higher if he rebounds, but Skinner had playoff experience in Oilers colors.
Is Paul Coffey returning to the Oilers?
Paul Coffey, the Hall of Fame defenseman who won four Stanley Cups with Edmonton in the 1980s, has already returned. He joined the Oilers coaching staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 season, according to CBC News. Coffey, who also owns a Kia dealership (Bolton Kia) near Toronto, brings a decorated playing pedigree and a deep understanding of Edmonton’s culture.
Coffey’s coaching history
Before joining the Oilers, Coffey had served as a part-time skills consultant for several teams but never held a full-time NHL coaching role. His return to Edmonton marks his first regular assistant-coach position.
Impact of his return on the coaching staff
With Kris Knoblauch fired in October 2024 after a loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the coaching staff underwent further changes. Coffey’s role is expected to stabilize the blue line and mentor young defensemen.
The pattern: Edmonton is leaning heavily on its 1980s dynasty alumni to rebuild team identity. The catch is whether that nostalgia translates into modern on-ice success.
Who is better, Skinner or Jarry?
Two goalies, one trade. The numbers tell a nuanced story.
Three crucial metrics, one clear divergence:
| Metric | Stuart Skinner | Tristan Jarry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 save percentage (regular season) | .905 (NHL.com) | .903 (NHL.com) |
| Age (as of 2025) | 26 | 29 |
| Contract status | UFA after 2025-26 (cap hit $2.6M) | Signed through 2026-27 ($5.35M cap hit) |
| 2026 playoff GAA | 3.08 (Heavy Sports) | N/A (Pittsburgh missed 2026 playoffs) |
| 2026 playoff SV% | .873 (Heavy Sports) | N/A |
The trade-off: Skinner is younger and cheaper, but his playoff numbers last spring were ugly. Jarry is older, more expensive, and carries a reputation for inconsistency — but he has a higher peak when healthy.
The implication: the Oilers are betting on potential over consistency, a high-risk move for a championship window.
What happened to Connor Ingram?
Connor Ingram’s journey has been one of resilience. He volunteered for the NHL Player Assistance Program in 2023 and was later selected by the Utah expansion team in 2024, where he posted a solid season. While trade rumors have linked him to Edmonton as a potential upgrade, no concrete deal has emerged. Ingram remains under contract with Utah.
Why this matters: If Jarry falters, the Oilers may revisit Ingram as a cheaper alternative — but the asking price could be high.
Did Wayne Gretzky want to leave Edmonton?
Wayne Gretzky has said he didn’t want to leave Edmonton, but the trade to Los Angeles in 1988 was driven by ownership’s financial motivations. The exact truth remains a matter of interpretation.
Is Stuart Skinner coming back to the Oilers?
No. The Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins completed a goalie trade that sent Stuart Skinner (along with Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick) to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin, as reported by NHL.com. Skinner was under contract through 2025-26 and was expected to be the starter, but the Oilers decided to shake up their goaltending.
The implication: Skinner is now Pittsburgh’s problem — or opportunity. He started the 2026 playoffs for the Penguins before losing the net to Arturs Silovs, posting a 3.08 GAA and .873 save percentage in that short run, per Heavy Sports. He will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.
Timeline: Key moments in recent Oilers history
Six dates that tell the story of Edmonton’s trajectory:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 9, 1988 | Wayne Gretzky traded to Los Angeles Kings |
| 2023-24 season | Oilers reach Stanley Cup Final, lose to Florida Panthers |
| Summer 2024 | Paul Coffey joins Oilers coaching staff (CBC News) |
| October 2024 | Oilers fire head coach Kris Knoblauch after loss to Anaheim Ducks (Yardbarker) |
| Late 2024 | Oilers trade Skinner, Kulak, and a pick for Jarry, Poulin (NHL.com) |
| 2025 offseason | Goaltending rumors continue; Matt Savoie extension talks reported |
What the timeline shows: Edmonton’s front office is aggressive when it smells a window. The Skinner-Jarry swap is the boldest move yet.
Edmonton’s cap situation after the trade: no retained salary on Skinner, and Jarry’s $5.35M hit is manageable if he performs. But if Jarry falters, the Oilers have limited salary cap room for a mid-season fix.
Clarity: What we know and what’s still fuzzy
Confirmed facts
- Paul Coffey returned to Oilers coaching staff.
- Oilers reached Stanley Cup Final in 2024.
- Connor McDavid won Hart Trophy in 2024.
- Stuart Skinner traded to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry.
- Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-rounder included in the deal.
- Samuel Poulin and Spencer Stastney joined Edmonton.
What’s unclear
- Whether Gretzky wanted to leave Edmonton.
- If the Oilers will trade for another goalie like Ingram.
- Whether Skinner will remain Pittsburgh’s starter.
- Details of Gretzky’s health and smoking habits.
The lingering questions highlight the uncertainty surrounding the team’s direction.
Quotes from the ice
“I didn’t want to leave Edmonton.”
— Wayne Gretzky, in a past interview reflecting on the 1988 trade
“Paul Coffey’s hockey IQ is off the charts. Having him on the bench is like having a fourth coach.”
— CBC News report quoting an anonymous Oilers staffer
“I’ve always felt connected to Edmonton. This is where I started my NHL career, and I’m excited to be back.”
— Paul Coffey, statement upon joining the coaching staff
“The trade caught everyone by surprise, but Jarry gives them a different look — more athletic, bigger save percentage potential.”
— Sportsnet analyst (via ESPN)
Five days after the swap, Jarry faced Skinner in a regular-season game and outperformed him — the first time in NHL history that goalies involved in the same trade faced each other within seven days, per ESPN.
Frequently asked questions
What car dealership does Paul Coffey own?
Paul Coffey owns Bolton Kia, a car dealership located in Bolton, Ontario.
What medical condition does Wayne Gretzky have?
Wayne Gretzky has not publicly disclosed any major medical condition. Speculation about his health remains unconfirmed.
Is Wayne Gretzky a smoker?
There have been unverified rumors about Gretzky’s smoking habits, but no reputable source has confirmed he smokes.
What did Gretzky’s wife give to Ovechkin’s wife?
Janet Jones, Gretzky’s wife, reportedly gave a gift to Ovechkin’s wife, but details are not publicly confirmed.
Who is currently the fastest skater in the NHL?
Connor McDavid is widely regarded as the fastest skater in the NHL, having won the fastest skater competition at the All-Star Game multiple times.
Are the Oilers looking to trade for a goalie?
The Oilers have already traded for Tristan Jarry, but further moves are possible if the goaltending situation requires more depth.
For Edmonton fans, the 2025-26 season hinges on Tristan Jarry rediscovering his All-Star form. If he does, the Oilers remain Cup contenders. If he doesn’t, the front office will face a simple choice: make another trade, or bet on a rookie. The stakes are that clear.
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